RESIST

by Jeanne McKinley

About a year ago I woke up to a strange hum. I was disoriented by it at first, didn’t even know what the sound was, so I got up, looked out the window and saw a steady line of cars driving down the hill.
What in the world?
Are they evacuating the neighborhood and nobody told us?
I looked at the clock, it was 4:45am, then it hit me – it was the day after Thanksgiving.
Black Friday.
I remember being blown away by the fact that my entire neighborhood was on their way to be the first ones out for the store buster prices, free socks or scarves or whatever other item the store would be dangling to bring us in, and then I had a moment of panic,
“Oh no, I’m going to miss it!”
I was missing the sales that would help me save money on Christmas presents!!
And then I remembered…
I had done that before, joined in the throng, jumped in the fray of craziness at 5am, I thought I had been missing something by not being a part of the American ritual of day after Thanksgiving sales. I realized, as I was standing in a line that wrapped around to the middle of the store that I had fallen for it, the idea that I needed to buy these socks at a great discount and that my family would be really excited about these fleece coats that were the “hottest thing” - though I wasn’t saving money because I had grabbed about 7 other things not on my list, but that I just Had to have.

I’ve been thinking about resistance today, the idea that this is my chance, as the holiday shopping season heats up, to resist. It’s not easy. Resistance is a word that you feel, as I choose to not buy fun looking, sparkly junk that will put a momentary gleam in my children’s eyes or make my house look pretty, I can feel that at times. As I choose to create things that will be meaningful and relational but will take effort and my time and frustration when it’s not looking like I wanted it to, I feel that.

Here’s something else- I admit it-maybe it’s a girl thing but I love to shop. I love to spend money and buy things and I love to buy other people things and there’s more- I love to find the Perfect gift for someone, the thing they will absolutely LOVE. I love that feeling of “AH HA!” this is IT, and I’m going to be awarded the giver of the year award because I found THE present that will bring the most joy and happiness to that person, the gift that shows I know them best and have found the thing that resonates with them perfectly. The gift that they’ll tell their friends about, “Jeanne got me that!”

Not pretty is it?

I can justify that feeling with the fact that I want to show my loved ones how much I love them by finding that perfect present but there’s something I’m getting out of it as well, strokes, appreciation, people pleased with me.
No, not real pretty.

These are some things that God is redeeming in my heart this year as I refocus and rethink Jesus’ birthday. The way I’m going to buy gifts and the way I’m going to give gifts. To give of myself as Christ gave to me. To hold my friend’s and family’s faces in my hands, look deep into their eyes and tell them how much I love them. And most of all to worship Christ in a beautiful, uncluttered way and to be free to love Him with all of me.

It’s different, it’s transformational and it feels really good.

Friday when I wake up to the hum of traffic, I’m going to roll over, pull the blankets tighter and cuddle with my hubby and I’m going to resist.

Resistance doesn’t sound so bad after all does it?

http://www.adventconspiracy.org/

"What Would Jesus Buy"

Hello Family and Friends,

At church this morning we talked about preparing our hearts for the Advent Season and celebrating the birth of Jesus. As an American I get frustrated this time of year because our cause and "reason for the season" has been high jacked by the vast consumerism that takes place. It is estimated that over 400 billion was spent last year on Christmas alone in the US. One of the ways that Imago Dei and our family has changed the way we celebrate Christmas is to give relationally and also give to our church who has entered into several partnerships across the globe to help those less fortunate ones during this season.

Rick also spoke of a new movie that just came out called "What Would Jesus Buy" http://wwjbmovie.com/ directed and produced by Morgan Spurlock who produced the hit documentary "Super Size Me". The movie follows The Reverend Billie from shopping malls and Wal Marts across the country to try and get people to stop shopping and spending money. It looks like a hit and something that is long over due for our culture of consumer's.

I am not advocating anyone to change what they are doing in their lives already for this Christmas, however I think we all have more than we need and there are still kids all over the world who don't have access to clean water. Jesus came to the earth and gave of himself relationally and this Christmas season when we celebrate His birth I want to give our money to those who don't have clean water or to a great non profit that is making a difference in our local communities.

More about Advent and Preparing your heart for the celebration of the birth of Jesus is here - http://www.adventconspiracy.org/ I highly recommend you all visit this website and get your local church's plugged into the program of giving a special donation this time of year. It's changing lives and whole communities in places like Liberia and Chile.

Merry Christmas


With Love -

Nathan and Melissa

George Carlin's Wife

What a difference a sad event in someone's life makes. GEORGE CARLIN
(His wife recently died...)

Isn't it amazing that George Carlin - comedian of the 70's and 80's - could write
something so very eloquent...and so very appropriate.

A Message by George Carlin:The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness. We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the w ay to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things. We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less. These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just forget about it... Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

George Carlin

Happy Thanksgiving

The turkey is in the oven - the cowboys are on the tube - God is on the throne - life is good!

Have a happy thanksgiving everybody!!!

Love Melissa and Nathan

Pics from Noel's Wedding

Noel and Kristen's wedding was fabulous and probably one of the nicest wedding we have ever been to. We have some pictures that captured the evening from the club house to the festivities. Enjoy!

Bailouts in Disguise

Bailouts in Disguise
November 9, 2007

Irvine, Calif.--As we witness large numbers of defaults on subprime loans--loans extended to those with no credit or bad credit--many are calling for the government to do something to stop the suffering. At the same time, many recognize that a bailout of struggling homeowners would be wrong. Those proposing a government solution claim that they can save the day without a bailout: "borrower assistance" programs to refinance defaulting mortgages, crackdowns on "predatory lending" practices, or laws restricting mortgages the government deems too risky.

"In fact," said Alex Epstein, an analyst at the Ayn Rand Institute, "regardless of how these proposals are described, all embody the essence of a bailout: they absolve individuals of responsibility for their bad decisions--and force those who did nothing wrong to pay the price.

"The government is not a savvy lender or mortgage expert able to contribute innovative financing strategies or new knowledge to the mortgage market. Its sole power, which all the proposed 'solutions' would utilize, is the power to forcibly compel some people to give up their money or freedom for the sake of others. This applies, not just to 'borrower assistance' (read: borrower bailout) programs, which can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars per 'assisted' homeowner, but also to measures to target 'predatory lending'--an undefined term that gives the government license to extract huge fines from any innocent lender it retroactively deems should have given better counsel to borrowers. The government is also punishing the innocent when it attempts to 'protect' future borrowers. For example, proposed prohibitions on future mortgages that the government deems overly risky punish individuals who manage risk well, many of whom will not be able to afford new homes without these vehicles.

"The proper response of the government to subprime problems is simple; commit to no new interventions in the housing market, and cease all existing intervention designed to influence home ownership--from programs like Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae to artificially low interest rates. Such a move would send a message befitting a free people: a message of responsibility. The current proposals in Congress send the exact opposite message."

### ### ###

Mr. Epstein is an analyst at the Ayn Rand Institute. His Op-Eds have appeared in such publications as the San Francisco Chronicle, Philadelphia Inquirer, Canada's National Post, and the Washington Times. He is also a contributing writer for The Objective Standard, a quarterly journal of culture and politics. Mr. Epstein has been a guest on numerous nationally syndicated radio programs.

A Christmas of Relationships 2007

A Christmas of Relationships
21st Annual Christmas Luncheon Our hope and commitment is to grow in our love for God and in our love for each other. Jesus teaches: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is: Love your neighbor
as yourself”
- Matthew 22:37-39

INTERNATIONAL EVANGELIST
This year, for the 21st year in a row, we are privileged to have Luis Palau as
a featured speaker. His message will move people from despair and aloneness to a life built on strong relationships. Portland Business Luncheons Portland Business Luncheons are designed for businessmen and women who desire to see the Person and principles of Jesus lifted up in the greater Portland area. In addition to monthly meetings, we endeavor to create an opportunity to become a part of one of the many small groups centered on Jesus and built on relationships, with the purpose of growing closer to God and to each other. After our luncheon there will be a time of meeting and fellowship among the Portland Business Luncheon family of friends. You are welcome to join us.

The Christmas Event takes place on:
Thursday, December 13, 2007
11:30 am - 1:15 pm
Portland Waterfront Marriott
1401 SW Naito Parkway
Portland Oregon

Here is the Palau website = http://www.palau.org/



Our Monthly Meetings for Westside PBL is:
WESTSIDE LUNCHEON
on the second Wednesday each month at: Portland Golf Club
5900 SW Scholls Ferry Road
Reservations: 503-629-8441, 503-614-1500
Email: p.tucker@palau.org
t_gutz@juno.com